MOSCOW, January 18 (RIA Novosti) - A total of 471 servicemen were killed during the performance of their duties and in other non-combat-related incidents in 2008 or 29 more compared with 2007, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

Last year, 231 servicemen committed suicide, or 7 deaths more compared with 2007, the ministry's official web site said.

The deaths in 2008 were also due to accidents (121), violation of road traffic and transport operation rules (50), murder and murder through negligence (26), hazing (24) and careless handling of arms (19), the web site said.